By Matthew D. Stokes, BerryVikings.com Lead Writer

ROME, Ga. – Berry's softball team split with Centre on Sunday afternoon at Ford Field. Game scores were 6-5 and 5-7. Berry successfully rallied in game one but came short in game two.

Berry goes to 22-8 overall and 14-4 in Southern Athletic Association competition. Centre moved to 8-15 and 7-12.

In the opener, Berry backed starting pitcher Caillee Shamoun with two early runs and led 2-0 through three frames. Centre knocked Shamoun out of the game during a five-run fourth. She pitched three and a third innings and allowed six hits and five runs (four earned). 

Berry drew within a run after Abby Daniels socked a two-run home run in the sixth. With two outs and a runner on second in the seventh, Kristen Stoll tied the game with an RBI double through the right side.

Three innings later with the bases loaded, Sara Vigue hit a groundball to Centre's shortstop, and pinch runner Haley Smith slid across the plate after the shortstop's throw hit off the catcher's glove, giving Berry the victory.

Allison Coronado (7-3) pitched her way to the win in relief and retired the first 11 hitters she faced. She threw six and two-third scoreless innings and gave up two hits. Emily Landherr (2-6) took the loss and surrendered six runs (five earned) for Centre.

Jessica Washington had two hits, and Lacey Herring picked up two hits and two runs for Berry. Centre's Tori Silcox and Christina Schwarz both recorded two hits apiece.

In the nightcap, Berry fell behind by three runs, but rallied to tie the game in the sixth on Vigue's RBI double. Centre reclaimed the lead in the seventh on run-scoring hits by Schwarz and Simpson, and held Berry at bay to earn the split.

Emily Meador (6-6) tossed a complete game for Centre to earn the win in the pitching circle. She allowed 12 hits and six runs (four earned). Coronado (7-4) was tagged with loss for Berry and pitched three innings and gave up three runs (two earned).

Vigue, Herring, Daniels and Smith each notched two hits for Berry. Centre's Schwarz had three hits and five RBIs, and Ashley Christian posted two hits and three runs.

The Vikings will return to action for a four-game set against SAA opponent Birmingham-Southern next weekend. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday in Birmingham, Ala.